It was DEA Agent Caden Cooke’s third chance to impress beautiful chef Mia Martin. He’d already stood her up twice, and was shocked she was even giving him another chance. For Caden, taking down the bad guys is important, but Mia’s made it clear there’s no excuse for his bad behavior. So he’s vowed to make it worth her while with an apology he’s cooked up just for her.

From the moment they meet, it’s clear this isn’t just another fix up. The sparks flying between them are undeniable; the tension is electric. Then, suddenly, the best moments of their lives turn treacherous when a drug dealer set on revenge puts their lives in danger. And Mia and Caden quickly realize they will do anything to protect the other—and live for the love neither of them expected.

He really wanted to kiss her.

“You’re worried about work.”

He scanned the quiet street and the light traffic this time of night. He didn’t think Marco stupid enough to stay in the city. Too many cops out looking for him. He wondered if someone was watching his place, waiting for him to come home.

“Work is always on my mind, but right now, there’s only one thing I’m thinking about.” He closed the distance between them and slipped his free hand around her back, the ends of her hair brushing his hand, and pulled her close. He stared down into her surprised eyes and smiled. “You promised me a good-night kiss.”

Her hand came up and rested on his chest. “Yes, I did. I’m a woman of my word.”

“I’m counting on that.”

He leaned down. She rose up to meet him in the middle. Their lips touched, and fire shot through him with a swift need that burned and consumed every thought in his head but one: Hold on to her. He pulled her closer, changed the angle of the kiss, and took it deeper, sweeping his tongue across her soft lips and diving deep when she sighed and let him in.

Jennifer Ryan is the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of The Hunted, McBride, and Montana Men series. She writes suspenseful contemporary romances with outrageous plot twists, deeply emotional love stories, high stakes and higher drama. Her stories are filled with love, family, friendship, and the happily-ever-after we all hope to find.

Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.

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